Philippines: HIV, the silent epidemic • FRANCE 24 English

While significant progress has been made globally in curbing the spread of HIV, the Philippines is facing one of the fastest-growing rates of infection in the world. In 2023, new infections reached 29,000 - up from just 4,400 in 2010 - marking a staggering increase. At the same time, annual AIDS-related deaths have surged by 500 percent over the same period. Despite opposition from the Catholic Church and other social challenges, activists are fighting for equal access to prevention and treatment to help reduce new infections. Nejma Bentrad and Alban Alvarez report.
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[@lingaaayen]

Thank you so much for bringing awareness, this really helps a lot!

[@jhayem636]

What's more frustrating here is that the government we're certainly not doing anything to minimize the growth rate. Even our president is very vocal against a bill which would teach our Filipino youths regarding proper sex education which still very taboo here in our country. Using contraceptives are also not common here and you would often be judge or make fun of if you buy condoms in convenient stores. I blame the church for all of these because they're always influencing and dictating our brainless lawmakers in preventing progressive bill (divorce, sogie and sex education) to be pass.

[@touher6071]

It's probably a double edge sword. If there is a separation of state and religion, then you become to free like America where all the values of family and caring for others diminish. On the other hand, you are right the government and catholic church should "modernize " the regulations so the education system not only teach about abstaining from sex but also safe sex to help curb the out of control birth rate and std. I couldn't tell you from observation how many kids I saw walking around begging for money in Manila. Sad to see.

[@anjinsanx44]

God bless america!

[@boredfeline]

As someone who grew up in a religious secta that believes in Christ, I find it ironic that those who preaches and calls themselves disciples of God carries such hate and such manner of closemindedness. Truly, actions speaks louder than words. A true disciple of God would know and do better.

[@osyoso_ilonggo]

They don’t know. That’s the problem.

[@AllanRolle]

Exactly ! Religions make people dumber and ignorant. I grew up with so-called catholics....full of hate...

[@d3r3kyasmar]

Stop having unprotected multiple sex partners.

[@marcK599.]

One person can give you HIV

[@joshuac9593]

I admire all those help with HIV, fight with HIV ❤. HIV and sex related education is really crucial and important

[@babysello731]

My friend got hiv from his visiting in thai. He past away last year. He had it for 7 years

[@fernandon3201]

RIP, because no therapy

[@mr_pogi8812]

Don’t blame the government. Blame yourself for not being loyal to one partner.

[@marcK599.]

Just one partner can give you HIV

[@Analog_Soul]

The favourite destination of the passport bros 😂

[@NAT-turners-Revenge]

I heard it was a destination of a lot of PDF-FILES. Notice.... the story starts out with a trans. That whole community is reckless with their bodies

[@gerhardusvanderpoll]

So what???....What is your point????....HIV is present ALL OVER THE WORLD...Is your mind a little bent,or what...???

[@ahriboy]

I strongly recommend PrEP, if you are sexually active.

[@marisahokefazi2949]

Of course it keeps spreading because they aren't telling their partners and are continuing to have sex.

[@CasterbalTV]

*Jeez, they are more fluent in English than the average American.*

[@ButterflyG673]

How???? You can barely understand Filipinos with English 😂😂😂

[@FanezaLindsay]

who cares about English, focus on the topic...

[@greencandles9033]

nagbubuhat ng sariling bangko ang isa nanamang kababayan ko. Yung mga hapon at koreano hindi magaling mag english pero sobrang asenso kesa sa atin.

[@CasterbalTV]

@@greencandles9033 , Tama ka po. Hindi lng po binuhat, pinashan ko pa.

[@NeverMetTheGuy]

In other news: Trump unbanned incandescent light bulbs.

[@suigeneris4572]

why you know how to prevent it but why did it still happen?

[@mukhiyagurung9817]

Justice

[@rubenmolina8849]

HIV 30 years ago most of the population know it. I almost got HIV and two of my friends. But luckily we are not. The woman who gets HIV I don't have any relationship with her. It's week of torture for the 3 of as. In those moments the government is very very strict with HIV, once somebody gets infected. The department of health starts to investigate. Who's the person you have in sexual relation. All of those people will be arrested and put on insulation. This person that you been talking to is lying to you.

[@virginiawai8485]

Take responsibility yourself, don’t blame others.

[@taminy2051]

If abstinence is the only thing taught to you, please blame other people. You are kept from important information by people who know better!

[@Kahayuman]

no ones blaming. im blaming those like who are not opening their minds with the available solutions

[@marcK599.]

Ok Incel

[@pandemicoftheunvaccinated5367]

Stop making excuses for the catholic church's stance on contraception!

[@virginiawai8485]

@ , what has contraception do with HIV?

[@neoudi2024]

Thanks for the awareness. But this is more slanted towards Catholic majority Philippines with 128k HIV positives compared to 580k in Thailand and 250k in Vietnam. Is this due to your anti-Catholic stance or sentiments?!

[@TalkToMeInTagalog]

Sad to know that the number of infected is steadily rising every time a new documentary about it comes out.

[@zetrader]

The first is a trans, the second one a gay...it happens more with trans and gays?

[@mayaaisha]

We say Hey to Philippines 😅

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Normal there

[@maidylopez6345]

They don't want god in their lives.... They are living in 7 deadly sins

[@atomicvagrant7686]

God does not exist, its a ferry tale.

[@degualbosav9754]

fairy you stup!!d

[@Fyhhgftu]

"Peri"

[@osyoso_ilonggo]

He is. But He is not judgmental as most religious people say He is.

[@Biking_Jek]

They don't speak their own language anymore.

[@random-accessmemory9201]

English is one of the official languages of the Philippines. 🤷🏼‍♂

[@chrysocolapteserythrocepha5915]

They speak their own dialect of English called Philippine English, a legitimate variety of the English language recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary - the principal historical dictionary of the English language. You must also know that the Philippine Nation is composed of hundreds of different ethno-lingustic groups - a single language as a medium of communication is a must to unite them. Singapore has only three main ethinic groups i.e. Malay, Chinese, and Indian; and they have English as their official language, so why not the Philippines? Also, as mentioned by one of the commenters here, English is an official language of the Philippines.

[@junfalushir4106]

don't fixk plss

[@taminy2051]

All religions have said that since time began. It never worked. Time for a new approach!

[@aikolactaotao]

People deny the existence of God because living in sin is a comfort to them.

[@supermanny865]

Didn't your god kill millions of babies when he flooded earth? 🤣

[@AA-ge4uj]

God's Punishment.

[@markdudero3576]

This is very sad that this is happening to young people, but again homosexuality doesn't align with God's teachings as this is an abomination. These poor souls know that this is a sin but kept on doing it. One should be aware that this sinful act is plainly to satisfy their sick worldly lustful need and the end of the day we all die and be judged of our doing. Everything we do, echoes in eternity. I'm just hoping that this suckers will one day repent wholeheartedly and turn away from this evil deeds while they still can and eventually be saved. Our soul is what matters most after all. God bless everyone.

[@boredfeline]

How ironic, that someone who promotes God's principles and teachings carries a lot hate. If you're truly a believer of God you would know and do better.

[@Fyhhgftu]

​@@boredfeline not hate but awareness

[@boredfeline]

@ So awareness should include calling people foul words and then adding god into the subject? I think there's a more proper and decent way of spreading awareness, that does not include demeaning and discriminate language.

[@joliver4083]

"Take Pride"

[@tagalogstories4304]

🤣..Most HIV transmission is on Men on Men, while Filipino men with Filipino women transmission rate is very low because of Prevalence of Circumcision... According to CDC, circumcision gives partial protection with MEn on Women relations against diseases..,,

[@caspercocomonkey2176]

Incorrect.

[@tagalogstories4304]

@@caspercocomonkey2176 do your proper research first, then come back here and comment...

[@FanezaLindsay]

False information!

[@tagalogstories4304]

@ says who?? did you do your proper google research?? i even said CDC...go check the CDC on this issue, then come back here and comment...

[@daquieshakeaundra2854]

lol you stooopid

[@jocelynjoy8200]

Stop libog to your self

[@CapAnson12345]

Ok.. well it's not like people don't know how it's spread at this point so just don't do those things.

[@taminy2051]

The young man from a rural village said he never heard of HIV/Aids.

[@CapAnson12345]

@@taminy2051 Well, now they know.

[@taminy2051]

@@CapAnson12345 One, not they.

[@patrickconnolly7799]

The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries where condoms are not openly available in convenience stores.

[@roughroadrunner88]

What do you mean, its available in all 7-11 convenience stores in the city and provinces. Maybe you are referring to rural areas. ​@@patrickconnolly7799

[@AE-ben]

It's not late, Jesus Christ saves. Christ is calling.

[@getcake8680]

god is a fantasy bro

[@rogue_nomad]

Your christ doesnt exist

[@khumbelobele6674]

Just shut up bro. Don't tell us about jesus here

[@AE-ben]

We love them, because Christ loved them first. It's still not late to come out of that trouble through Christ.

[@Tribuneoftheplebs]

Say what you want about Christianity but following the bible would prevent all this 👀